NRL 2025, Canberra Raiders, Brisbane Broncos, qualifying final, match preview, official team lists, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 9 Sep 2025, 04:10 PM

A heavyweight showdown between two genuine title contenders is set to rock the foundations at GIO Stadium on Sunday.

Minor premiers Canberra welcome the fourth-placed Broncos to town with the prize on offer a ticket through to a preliminary final and a week off to freshen up minds and bodies after a gruelling campaign.

From flashy fullbacks Kaeo Weekes and Reece Walsh, to polished playmakers Jamal Fogarty and Ben Hunt, to forward leaders Joe Tapine and Payne Haas, the qualifying final offers up mouth-watering clashes across the park.

In the only meeting between the two sides in 2025 it was the Raiders prevailing 32-22 in Round 2 on the back of standout displays from centre Seb Kris and back-rowers Hudson Young and Zac Hosking.

This Sunday's clash will be just fourth time the Raiders and Broncos have met in a final, the previous three coming in 1990, 1993 and 1995, when the likes of Laurie Daley, Brett Mullins and current coach Ricky Stuart locked horns with Kevin Walters, Allan Langer and Glenn Lazarus.

Now a new chapter will be written by a new generation of stars looking to deliver their side a premiership after a 31-year wait for Canberra and 19 yeas for Brisbane.

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Sunday 14 Sep

Full Time

Raiders

Broncos

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Highlights Latest

Team News

Raiders: Centre Seb Kris is back on deck after missing the Round 26 win over the Tigers that clinched the minor premiership so Simi Sasagi returns to the bench and Noah Martin makes way. Veteran prop Josh Papalii has been named to play despite suffering an ankle injury at training last Friday. Englishman Matty Nicholson is listed as 18th man having made a successful return through NSW Cup from a syndesmosis injury and fractured fibula suffered in May.

Broncos: Skipper Adam Reynolds (hamstring) remains sidelined so Ben Hunt and Billy Walters again call the shots in the halves. Centre Gehamat Shibasaki has been recalled after he was stood down last week for breaching team standards so Deine Mariner goes to the wing and Jesse Arthars drops to 18th man. Back-rower Jack Gosiewski is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a collarbone injury.

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Sunday 14 Sep

Full Time

Raiders

Broncos

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio Tamale

Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah Karapani
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris

Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jed Stuart

Winger for Broncos is number 5 Deine Mariner
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange

Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Billy Walters
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling

Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking

2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen Pattie

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Tyson Smoothy
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Simi Sasagi

Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe Hetherington
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Morgan Smithies

Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Ben Talty
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Jaiyden Hunt

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Matty Nicholson

Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Jesse Arthars

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/15/2025 3:02:01 AM

Stat Attack

The Raiders have won only one of their past four finals games.
The Broncos have lost four of their last five games at GIO Stadium.
The Raiders have won nine of their 10 games at GIO Stadium this season.
Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has scored six tries in his last five games.
Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange has scored seven tries in his last six games at GIO Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.